Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1887-04-07
Sheep In the Spring.
Sheep Breeder.

1t Is comparatively an easy matter to
turn out sheep too early in the spring.
While it is, of course, desirable to allow
them to have grass as soon as it can be
secured in the spring yet care should be
taken not to turn out entirely. We have
always found it a good plan to SOW a
patch Of rye in the fall, on purpose to
turn In the breeding ewes early in the
spring, when they especially need some
thing green. While we may be able to
keep the sheep In fairly good condition
on dry feed, yet to insure the best growth,
not only of the animal but also of the
wool, green food should be given when
ever possible, and especially the breeding
ewes. In order to keep them thrifty and
healthy, and at the same time furnish a
full supply of milk to keep the lambs
growing, green food is almost a necessity.
But 1t is better not to turn into the past
ures too early. 1t will answer to let them
have the run for two or three hours each
day, when the weather is pleasant, but not
IN cold, wet or stormy weather. 1t Will be
much better to feed under shelter, and
this Is especially the case with sheep that
have been reasonably sheltered ali win
ter.
1t is certainly poor management to
keep sheep all winter, taking pains to
feed and shelter so to obtain a good
growth in flesh and wool and then in the
spring just when they need the feed and
care the worst to turn them out and let
them look out for themselves.
1t is an easy matter to stunt the growth
of the wool Of the sheep and the lambs,
and stunted growth is never desirable
in anything. The longer we farm the
more thoroughly do we become satisfied
that it pays to keep stock growing stead
lily all the time, just the same as a crop,
and that any failure to do this is a fail
ure to secure as much of the profit as we
could.
Farmers who have kept sheep for the
last three years at least, recognize the
fact that it is only by good management
that they have been able to secure even a
small profit. The sheep and wool must
be kept growing to secure this. We find
that men who properly feed and sare for
their sheep are able to show profit while
those who turned them out to care for
themselves find that they are keeping
sheep at q loss. Many, of course, Of these
have sold out and quit just the same as they
sell out and quit almost every other line
VI uIlLS, OCC6uSt, Will lOOS0 u1dHdQ-
ment, they could not find it very profit
able.
Slowly but surely we are beginning to
realize the fact that We must do our best;
not only must we thoroughly prepare the
soil by manuring, blowing and narrowing
so as to have the soil in fine condition,
plant good seed and give thorough Guilt
walton, so as to secure the best possible
yields, but we must also properly harvest
and store; feed out to good thrifty stock
so that steady gain may be secured
giving COED shelter and making and Sc
curing all the manure possible.
This rule applies to sheep. We must
feed economically, and yet maintain a
growth all the time, and in the spring,
after feeding all winter, do not turn into
the pasture until the weather has become
settled, and there is sufficient growth of
grass to keep them in a thrifty condi-
ton; by allowing them short run every
day in the rye or early pastures. and then
feeding little dry feed night and mo rn-
ing until the growth in the pastures has
been secured, much better condition of
health and growth may be maintained.